Welcome to Visit Augusta GA blog

Guest Blog Submission by Carly Kobasiar of the Augusta Sports Council

The Harlem Globetrotters came to Augusta for a one-night only engagement at James Brown Arena. I remember going to a Globetrotters game as a little girl and enjoying their wild antics, so when I heard they were coming to Augusta I knew I had to see them again!

The Harlem Globetrotters have been entertaining audiences for 85 years. They have performed for everyone from Presidents to Popes and have dunked their way into the hearts of basketball fans of all ages.

Fun for the entire family!

The show began with some cool break-dancing moves to the unmistakable sounds of the Globetrotters’ theme song, “Sweet Georgia Brown.” It really got the crowd going as the Globetrotter’s took the floor and the game was underway!

Globetrotters breaking it down.

The basketball game was almost secondary, as the Globetrotter’s fancy ball-handling and awesome slam dunks steal the show. If you go to a game and you are lucky to have tickets on the sideline, there’s a good chance that they will make you part of the show! Everyone is a target at the Globetrotter’s game, from little kids, to grandparents!

Slam Dunk!

Want to be part of the show?

The Globetrotter’s won the game 89-77, which was no surprise since their hapless opponents, the Washington Generals haven’t won a game since 1971!

The Harlem Globetrotters game was just one of many events held at Augusta’s James Brown Arena. The venue hosts sporting events, concerts and trade show throughout the year. Visit http://www.jamesbrownarena.com/ for more information.

To catch a Harlem Globetrotter’s game near you, check out their tour schedule at http://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/.

At the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau, we get a lot of calls about the Augusta National Golf Club’s Masters Tournament. Below are just a few of the more regular questions. Please do not hesitate to call us with other questions about your visit to Augusta at 800-726-0243 or visit our website.

Question: I did not get tickets for the Masters 2011, is it too late to apply for the lottery?
Answer: Yes, it is too late. You will need to reapply. Applications are accepted starting in May the year before and usually due by the end of July. 

Question: I cannot do a lot of walking; can a wheelchair be rented at the tournament?
Answer: Wheelchairs are allowed on the course, but the Augusta National Golf Club does not rent out wheelchairs. In previous years you could rent them from DuraMed 706.737.0500.

Question: I am not planning to rent a car; do hotels in the area provide shuttle service?
Answer: Yes, many hotels provide shuttle service from hotel to golf course and back, at a nominal cost or not at all.

Question: Where can I park once I arrive to the golf course? How early do I need to be there?
Answer: The Augusta National Golf Club has allocated a very large area of free parking spaces during the Masters Tournament. Gates normally open at 8am daily during the tournament.

Question: I received a notification letter that I won tickets for the practice round so I will be coming to Augusta in April, where can I stay?
Answer: You can access the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau website to get a listing of hotels in the area, or we can mail you a visitor’s guide. Websites for research: http://www.augustaga.org/

Question: I noticed that my check has been cashed, when do I receive my tickets?
Answer: Typically tickets begin to be mailed out starting mid-January. If you have questions or concerns about your tickets contact the Augusta National Golf Club directly at 706.667.6000 and ask for Tournament Information. 

Question: Is the Golf Course within walking distance of the hotels on Washington Road?
Answer: No, it is not. The closest hotel is about a mile from the front gate. 

Question: What is the dress code?
Answer: Appropriate clothes and shoes should be worn at all time. You will mainly see golf casual on the course. Layers are also recommended since mornings are still a little cool. 

Question: I would like to play some golf while I am in Augusta, can you recommend some golf courses?
Answer: Augusta has many great golf courses to play. However, during the week of Masters Tee times should be made well in advance. 

Question: It is March and I have not received my tickets yet?
Answer: Perhaps you provided a forwarding address; the Augusta National does not forward tickets to addresses not matching the application. If that is the case, then most probably the Club has your tickets, otherwise for any other reason you will need to contact them directly 706.667.6000. 

Question: Can I bring an infant with me to the Practice Round?
Answer: All attendees must have a badge.

I know it is March and maybe cold where you are, but in Augusta spring is coming and so is the excitement about the Masters Golf Tournament. I moved to Augusta in 1995 and have begged, borrowed and almost stolen to make it to the Augusta National Golf Course every spring. The joy of this tournament never gets old. So I thought I would share a few of my favorite parts.

Free Parking – from the very beginning it is awesome. Tell me what other major sporting event offers free parking!!!!!! From wherever you are coming, follow the golf traffic signs. Don’t try to get sneaky. The signs truly send you the quickest way to free parking. And remember to leave the cell phone in the car – it is okay. It will actually feel quit liberating.

Then you walk in Gate 6A and expect to be Wowed! If you have not been in awhile this is all new. They have definitely added the Disney effect – a grand entrance. Don’t rush. Take in all in. Then hand them your ticket. Remember not to permanently attach the pass to your body once you get out of the car. The security guards will need to scan it at the entrance. Then after that you can permanently attach it – just make sure they can see it. They will ask throughout the day if they cannot see it.

You will walk in alongside the driving range. This is also new as of last year. For me, it seems a little dangerous. But apparently these guys do not have as many bad shots as I think. Another little insider info – on your left is a small cabin. This is where ESPN and a few other media folks broadcast from during the week. So they actually have the back drop of the driving range. I enjoy taking time at the driving range. There are nice bleachers to sit and watch the action and soak up some sun. Last year, when Tiger Woods made his big entrance back to golf it was here in Augusta. I spent some quality time with him at the driving range. You can see the media cabin in the background as well.

It really is a great time in Augusta at the Masters Tournament. But I could write all day. So I think I will save dirt cheap fabulous food, fantastic scenery and the time I was approached by a security guard for another edition of the Visit Augusta Blog. However, if you are coming this year and have questions – do not hesitate to call 800-726-0243.

I have had the unique opportunity to be one of over 700 volunteers to assist with the ESi Ironman 70.3 when it came to Augusta, Georgia! It is both exciting and inspiring to see all these individuals competing! It is a combination of the young and old, men and women, the fit and the not-so fit. These people prove that it’s all about dedication and the power to endure!

In case you are unfamiliar with what Ironman 70.3 Augusta is it is a triathlon which includes a 1.2-mile swim in the Savannah River beginning at the public boat launch and swimmers exit at the Boat House.

At this point athletes proceed to Transition where they get their cycles ready for the 56-mile single-loop through North Augusta and ending in Downtown Augusta.

The Augusta race is unique in that athletes are able to technically race in two states, both South Carolina and Georgia.

Finally, athletes run a 13.1 mile two-loop course through Downtown Augusta, ending in the Augusta Common.

It is amazing to me to see all these men and women crossing the finish line. How proud they should be of themselves! I can
not wait to sign-up to volunteer for the 2011 event!

(Photos courtesy of the Augusta Sports Council)

Click here for more information :
http://ironmanaugusta.com/

I have to admit it has been awhile since I have gone bowling. There was a time in my youth when I did own my own purple bowling ball and shoes, but I digress. This time I was taking William, almost five, to explore the fun of bowling in Augusta, Georgia.

First things first – the shoes! They are a lot nicer than I remember renting. William’s actually had Velcro and looked brand new. Mine also were very snazzy. Then it was to putting our names in the system. Again to reminisce, I am old enough to remember the small pencil and having to do the math all by myself.

This is something new – and all for the kids – before we started the bumpers went up. Yes, actual guard rails to keep the kids’ ball on the lane. And I will tell you William put those rails to the test with a few curve balls.

We tried rolling the ball, pushing the ball, throwing the ball and of course kicking the ball. After a few frames, he did decide actually putting his fingers in the holes of the 6 lb ball was the best. And the ensuing strike made it all worthwhile. And of course for a kid learning his alphabet, the big “X” on the screen was very exciting.

I will not tell you what my final score was, but will tell you I had excellent form.

A few bowling lanes in Augusta, Georgia to try out.

AMF Masters Lanes
1810 Gordon Highway, Augusta
(706) 733-3624

Brunswick National Lanes
3067 Washington Road, Augusta
(706) 860-1667

Gordon Lanes Bowling Center
3rd Ave. #33200, Fort Gordon
(706)791-3446